How removing seats from aircraft will help a top regional carrier cope with the pilot shortage
The nation's largest regional airline is trying something new to cope with the pilot shortage: removing seats from aircraft.
SkyWest Airlines has a new subsidiary, and it's seeking approval for it to operate Canadair Regional Jets that are missing 20 of their 50 seats, according to a filing last week with the U.S. Department of Transportation that was made public on Tuesday.
How does removing seats help SkyWest navigate the pilot shortage? Well, 30 seats is the maximum number of seats allowed under a set of aircraft operating rules called Part 135. Part 135 rules, while still stringent, are more relaxed than the current set of rules that SkyWest — and all other scheduled air carriers — operates under, known as Part 121.
Pilots operating aircraft under Part 135 need not hold an airline transport pilot certificate. This license generally requires 1,500 flight hours to obtain and has become a hot button issue in the industry. Should SkyWest's new subsidiary, known as SkyWest Charter, win approval, it would be allowed to hire pilots with fewer flight hours to operate CRJs with 30 seats.
In April, Republic Airways, the nation's second-largest regional airline, filed with the Federal Aviation Administration for an exemption that would allow the company to hire pilots who graduate from its flight academy with 750 hours of experience. That exemption request remains pending.
The SkyWest operation would technically run as a public charter: On paper, the airline looks to be flying charter flights, but it'll also publish the flight schedules and sell seats to the general public, just like a scheduled air carrier. It's the same model that semi-private air carrier JSX uses. JSX operates in Texas with a fleet of Embraer 145s in a 1-1 configuration, because that nominally 50-seat jet must likewise be configured for 30 seats.
If approved, SkyWest Charter plans a fleet of up to 18 specially-configured CRJs.
JSX requires its new-hire pilots to hold 1,200 hours of flying time — still a significant amount of flying experience. However, this is less than the 1,500 hours required to earn a regular ATP certificate to fly Embraer Regional Jets at a Part 121 carrier like Piedmont Airlines or CommutAir.
More: Regional giant SkyWest proposes dropping up to 29 cities because of pilot shortage
Under federal regulations, pilots can earn a restricted ATP certificate at 1,250, 1,000 or 750 hours, depending on academic background or previous military experience. A 2018 study found that 32% of new-hire first officers held R-ATPs.
If approved, SkyWest intends to use its new subsidiary to bid for Essential Air Service at many of the 29 airports it initially planned to split from due to the pilot shortage. Included in SkyWest's filing are letters of support from a number of those communities, including Hays, Kansas; Mason City, Iowa; and Meridian, Mississippi. SkyWest Charter would not be branded as United Express (like the previous service to those 29 communities was), though the proposal does mention cooperation with major airlines — likely an interline agreement that would allow for streamlined reservations, check-in and checked baggage processing. SkyWest operates scheduled flights for United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines.
In a statement, SkyWest stressed that its new charter division will be an important tool for it to continue to serve small communities.
"One of SkyWest’s key missions has long been to connect small and mid-size markets to the national transportation infrastructure," the statement said. "We have the unique agility and resources, including this charter entity, to enable continued service in small and underserved communities. We continue exploring this and various other solutions in our ongoing commitment to fulfill a critical need."
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.